Panchkula, Oct. 23 -- Counting colours, matching shapes, taking turns and sharing stories: in Haryana's Anganwadi centres, play is becoming the first classroom for children aged 3 to 6.

Under the 'Aage Badhe Bachpan' initiative of the Women and Child Development Department, young children are learning through games, conversation and engaging activities, growing in confidence and getting ready for school along the way.

Women and Child Development Minister Shruti Choudhry says the 'Aage Badhe Bachpan' initiative aims to nurture confident, curious and school-ready children. To support this, the department has provided Teaching-Learning Material (TLM) to Anganwadi centres, so that children can pick up new ideas easily through play, talk and a...